My husband is like Dennis the Menace—remember the little boy who was a whirlwind of activity and always had pockets full of odd stuff? That’s Ben. On any given day he may have half a pencil, a few screws and a drill bit, the tire-filler gadget for a compressor, pieces of fence wire and an insulator, a used napkin, two business cards, one dirty ear foamie, and a few crumpled dollars in his pocket. This all gets deposited on the kitchen counter when he comes in the door, with the addition of his rolled-up belt with the pocket-knife case attached. 

This pile of manly trinkets is always accompanied by cattle-feed dust, dirt, and the remnants of wood chips blown in his pockets by the chainsaw. 

But before he gets to the counter, he walks past the kitchen table and chairs where he hangs his jacket and hat. Sometimes I think winter is worse because there are more—and heavier—coats. Then summer comes and I see a sour-smelling, sweaty ball cap, and I change my opinion. 

As he walks through the house, bits of hay and wood dust leave a trail like Hansel and Gretel’s. The tub proves he’s been working in the woods and fields. I’ve actually found tufts of cow hair stuck to the shower curtain. I put his clothes in the wash right away so they don’t smell up the bedroom. 

But I’m not complaining. The man has not been lazy a day in his life. He works hard and he provides well for me. I’m thankful for the proof of his provision and good character.

This just all reminds me of my young-mama days. I cleaned and cooked and did laundry and changed diapers and washed children and sometimes I felt like I did the same work day after day, knowing the next day would be like the last thousand. There was no end to the monotony of what I was doing and sometimes it was easy to get discouraged. Why clean the tub when it’s just going to get muddy again tomorrow? Why vacuum when all the little feet will just track in more dirt? And why do these people keep needing to eat?

Can you relate?

In all labor

Then one day in my Bible reading I came across Proverbs 14:23, which starts with, “In all labour there is profit . . .”

I stopped. I read it again. I read it out loud.

“In ALL labour there is profit . . .”

Then I laughed and the burden felt so much lighter!

Mama, in all labor there is profit. Even though it’s monotonous. Even when it will get messed up again and you’ll do it all over tomorrow. Even if no one appreciates it! Your children are watching you and they see you being faithful in your calling. They can tell whether you love being a mama or hate it. They learn by watching how to do everything “as unto the Lord.”

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul beseeches us to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”

You are a minister

So, chin up! Sweep the floor. Fold the laundry. Cook another meal. Clean up another pile of manly trinkets from the kitchen counter where they don’t belong.

Give your husband a bowl to dump his stuff in. Put the hat where it belongs. I don’t care what you do with them, but don’t let them become a source of bitterness. They are a symbol of the man you vowed to love, honor, and cherish. They represent God’s provision for you through another human.

Know this: you are not just performing labor. You are working in the vocation God called you to. You are a minister in your home, and that is much higher than vacuuming and cooking.

But since physical labor is part of the job, here’s the key: do it with a smile. Do it thanking God for those he’s entrusted to your care. Your calling is sacred—it comes from God himself. Everything you do is important and worthy of your best effort.

But keep in mind, when you stand before God at the Judgment Seat, he won’t bring up the house or the food or the diapers. He will look around for your family. Did you win your children to him with your joy? Did your husband testify of your goodness to him? A well-ordered home is good; a happy, peaceful family you take to heaven with you is better.

So do your work and enjoy the profit of your labor, but do it with gratitude,

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23–24

Meet Karen Sargent

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Begin Within is a series to inspire a year-round lifestyle of gratitude that will impact not only your own life, but the lives of your neighbors as well. Gratitude is a theme we talk about often around here because it ties so closely into other missional living rhythms. Practicing gratitude reminds to keep our hearts soft and expectant and our eyes open. Therefore, the more we embrace gratitude, the easier it becomes to truly see our neighbors and where we can join what God is already doing in our neighborhoods.

If you would like to contribute to Begin Within, you can find the submission guidelines here.

Creating Ripples

If you would like to cultivate rhythms in addition to gratitude that will empower you live on mission in your neighborhood, check out Cultivating a Missional Life: A 30-Day Devotional to Gently Help You Open Your Heart, Home, and Life to Your Neighbors. This small book will help you make a big impact in your neighborhood as you learn to let missional living flow from the inside out. Get the 30-day missional living challenge free when you purchase the book.